Family Scripture Study at the Wright's

Family Demographics
Seven kids under the age of 12 and a ridiculously handsome husband.  We also are sporting about three different styles of Corelle dishes, as you will see in a minute.

What Works For Us

Several years ago my husband and I struggled to know how to incorporate scripture study into our family’s activities.  At the time we had five children and only one of them could read, and the words of the scriptures were still much, much too hard for him.  We desired to share with our children the stories and examples from the scriptures without having to scold them to sit still and listen.  After much thought and prayer the Lord provided us with a plan, a plan tailored to our family and our needs. You see, our boys don’t sit still well- except for meals.  So, during dinner we read the Book of Mormon.  Mostly I tell the stories, reading a verse or two aloud.  We learn the meanings of difficult words and talk about how our challenges might be like the challenges of the prophets and missionaries in the Book of Mormon and how the Lord can bless and strengthen us like He blessed and strengthened them.  As we read I highlight verses that are especially important, or write a little note in the margin. When our oldest was baptized- we gave him the Book of Mormon that we had just finished reading as a family and we started reading and marking a new book for our next son.  We are now on our fourth reading of the Book of Mormon.  As we have continued with this plan our kids have developed a love and knowledge of the scriptures.  They are coming to know the people in the Book of Mormon and sense their goodness and whole-heartedness to God.   I don’t know if this will be the right way to share the scriptures with our children when they are older but it is the way that the Lord has directed us to share them with our children right now, and it is just right for us.

Blessings 

• It invites the Spirit and things run more smoothly when we are doing it consistently.
• The kids are excited about the stories and remind me to get them ready.
• The kids are becoming very familiar with the stories and personalities in the scriptures!

We hope to claim these blessings in our home:

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness.”

(Marion G. Romney, Apr. 1980, 90; or Ensign, May 1980, 67)

Struggles 

• If I don't remember to get the story ready during the day I'm too frazzled to do it well at dinner time.
• If more than one person spills their drink I usually give up for the evening and just clean up messes. 
• It doesn't work when we eat out or when we have company for dinner (which isn't too often).

Our scripture shelf at the end of the table.

Plan of Salvation Study Guide

“The great plan of salvation is a theme which ought 

to occupy our strict attention, 

and be regarded 

as one of heaven’s best gifts to mankind.”

-Joseph Smith

History of the Church 2:23

During a lesson in Relief Society the teacher read the quote above about the Plan of Salvation occupying our strict attention.   I could draw the standard Plan of Salvation diagram with its circles and slashes with my eyes closed, what more was there to study?  It bothered me, until I discovered bits and pieces of the Plan of Salvation scattered throughout the Book of Mormon.  Jarom, a descendant of Lehi asks, "what could I write more than my fathers have written?  For have not they revealed the plan of salvation?" (Jarom 1:2).  

The Plan of Salvation is given life and color and clarity in the words of the Book of Mormon!

I wanted a way that I could record these bits and pieces in a way that would allow me to study and learn more about each part of the Plan of Salvation.   I also wanted something that my kids could work on as they independently read the Book of Mormon (when they are a little older)- a way for them to find the truths of the Plan of Salvation in the Book of Mormon.  

I ended up creating a study guide for the Plan of Salvation.  It can be filled out as a project, or just added to as you read through the scriptures.  I have mine in a three ring binder which allows me to add pictures, more pages, and conference talks that are illuminating, like this one!  

The Plan of Salvation truly is "one of heaven's best gifts to mankind" and actively searching out the doctrines has helped me to see more clearly the things which God would have me do here on earth, and the person that He would have me become!

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